A Victim of the Marketing Vortex

Marketing Vortex is a term CDK and I came up with to describe all the incredibly cute baby stuff that we have an overwhelming urge to buy. All those baby-product-making people out there really know how to get us. We have been good and resisted more often than not, but I discovered a new marketing vortex last week that I really didn't know I had been sucked into.

We've been looking for a second car. CDK is a great researcher and will research the heck out of big purchases like cars, cameras, computers, etc. So, I know when he thinks something is a quality product and worth buying, it really is. Long story short he had narrowed the field down to three crossover SUV's including a Jeep Compass, a Mitsubishi Outlander, and a Hyundai Tuscon. Of the three CDK felt that the Hyundai was the best option based on car reviews, price, mpg, etc. While I trusted his research there was something in me that didn't like the idea of Hyundai (no offense to anyone owning any of the cars mentioned, just being honest). We tried out the Jeep and the Hyundai. I liked the look of the Jeep better and it had the Jeep name. I have fond memories of Jeep because my first car was a Jeep Cherokee and CDK drove a Wrangler when we first met. But the Hyundai was roomier on the inside and the deal we found was much better for it (a 2006 with only 5500 miles). The Tuscon received the same ratings as the similar Honda and Toyota and the Jeep was only receiving so so ratings because it was only its second year out and it was too early to tell if it would be a decent car. So when we put all the facts in order and it made sense to choose the Hyundai, so we did (it's a nice silver, not the interesting sea foam green in the pic). I finally just had to realize that I was completely immersed in the marketing vortex and was discriminating against cars based on a brand name.

I also realized as I was writing this post that in the Middle East I drove a Kia Joice. I don't think the model is available in the US but it's a cross between a minivan and station wagon (too bad ours wasn't the beautiful magenta color like this picture). This make and model didn't bother me in the least bit, though we did laugh at the name and called it Joice. But when we visited a dealership here and we sat in a Kia SUV I found myself seriously looking for reasons to not like it. I just didn't like the name on the back and what it is usually associated with. You have to admit, the local Kia commercials aren't the most creative or decent in the world. So, was I not bothered to drive a Kia in the Middle East because I hadn't had a car for over a year or because I was out of the Western culture that is so consumed with marketing and image?

What other marketing vortex's am I sucked into? I don't mind wearing off brand clothes, but of course I like wearing name brand. But with clothes you can't see the name, well some of them. So what is it? Maybe I just don't like being labeled period by what I buy and how much it costs or should have cost. Or maybe I'm too concerned about what others think and need to reevaluate how much I let others opinions alter my decisions. Or, the worst option, maybe I'm too shallow and I actually judge others by silly brand name standards, so therefore judge myself by those same standards. Ouch! BTW -I love our new car and, I feel confident that it was the better choice over the Jeep.